PIC16LF1503T-I/MG - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 12 I/O, 16-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1503T-I/MG ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.17 | $1.17 |
| 10 | $1.06 | $10.60 |
| 100 | $0.94 | $94.00 |
| 500 | $0.83 | $415.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.74 | $740.00 |
| 3,300 | $0.62 | $2,046.00 |
PIC16LF1503T-I/MG Overview
A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is an 8-bit RISC-based MCU originally developed by General Instrument's Microelectronics Division and now produced by Microchip Technology. PIC MCUs use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access for predictable, deterministic timing. Within the PIC hierarchy, this part belongs to the enhanced mid-range 16F core family, which adds C-compiler-friendly instruction set extensions, deeper hardware stack, and richer peripherals versus baseline 16F parts.
Key differentiating features include the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) module, Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), 10-bit ADC with acquisition timer, and eXtreme Low Power (XLP) sleep currents in the nA range. The internal 16 MHz high-precision oscillator eliminates an external crystal in many designs, and the 16-bit Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) with three independent duty generators supports motor, lighting, and power-conversion control loops.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1503 uses a 14-bit instruction word with a 16-level hardware stack and 32 kHz to 32 MHz internal oscillator block. The 10-bit ADC delivers up to 8 channels of conversion with hardware acquisition, while the NCO module provides fine frequency resolution for digital dimming and tone generation. Designers gain access to peripherals through Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 C compiler, with pin-compatible migration paths to PIC16F1503 (5V) and PIC16(L)F1526/1527 for memory upgrades.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, consumer white goods and home appliances, low-cost IoT edge nodes, LED lighting controllers, automotive body electronics sub-modules, and small motor-control PCBs in toys and fans. The combination of 16-pin small-outline QFN packaging and sub-microamp sleep current makes it ideal where PCB area and standby drain are critical.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling: a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of VDD and a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum/ceramic on VDD are recommended per Microchip's PIC16LF1503 datasheet. The exposed thermal pad (EP) on the QFN package MUST be soldered to the PCB ground plane to meet thermal and electrical performance specifications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. It complements, rather than replaces, Microchip's official PIC16LF1503 datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1503T-I/MG — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PIC16LF1503T-I/MG (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Maximum CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1503-I/MG
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503T-E/MG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1503T-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-I/MG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1503-E/MG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503T-I/MG Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (enhanced mid-range) |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2, Timer6) |
| PWM Channels | 3 (10-bit) / 2 (16-bit CCP) |
| CLC / CWG / NCO | Yes (peripheral-rich core) |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz high-precision (HFINTOSC) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, "I") |
| Package | 16-pin QFN (3x3 mm) with EP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1503T-I/MG Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / MCLR alternative |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 7 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / SCL |
| Pin 10 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / SDA |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM |
| Pin 12 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM |
| Pin 13 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, internal pull-up |
| Pin 16 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - solder to PCB ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1503T-I/MG is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Consumer White Goods and Home Appliances, Low-Cost IoT Edge Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics Sub-Modules, Small Motor Control PCBs.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1503T-I/MG fits battery-powered sensor nodes because of its 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range and XLP sub-microamp sleep current (typical 20 nA in deep sleep with WDT off). The 12 I/O pins accommodate a sensor interface (e.g., I2C temperature/humidity sensor on RC4/RC5), an SPI flash for logging on RC0-RC3, and a wake-up GPIO on RA0. The 10-bit ADC with 8 channels supports up to 4 analog sensor inputs multiplexed through RA1-RA5. Designers place the MCU between a CR2032 or 2xAA cell stack, run code from 3.5 KB Flash, and rely on the 16 MHz internal HFINTOSC to eliminate an external crystal, saving BOM cost and PCB area.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods and Home Appliances
The PIC16LF1503T-I/MG is well-suited for consumer white goods such as washing-machine control boards, dishwasher timers, microwave keypads, and HVAC indoor unit logic boards where cost and reliability dominate. Its CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) and CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) modules replace discrete logic, driving triac control signals and zero-cross detection with no extra ICs. The 3 PWM channels handle motor speed control (brushless fans, small pumps), and the 10-bit ADC reads NTC temperature sensors and potentiometers. Industrial-grade -40C to +85C operation tolerates appliance enclosure thermal stress.
Recommended
Low-Cost IoT Edge Nodes
For low-cost IoT edge nodes, the PIC16LF1503T-I/MG pairs with sub-GHz or BLE modules to form a minimal sensor-hub device on 16-QFN (3x3 mm). The 12 I/O pins connect a UART-controlled radio module on RC6/RC7, two LEDs on RA0/RA1, and an SPI ADC frontend on RC0-RC3 for sensor fusion. Flash-resident code in 3.5 KB is sufficient for BLE beacon formatting, sensor pre-processing, and OTA-ready state machines. The exposed thermal pad aids heat dissipation when the MCU drives a power-hungry radio during transmit bursts, keeping junction temperature within the 125C limit.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1503T-I/MG suits dimmable LED lighting controllers, RGBW strips, and architectural lighting fixtures. Its CWG module generates complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-band, eliminating shoot-through in MOSFET half-bridge LED drivers. The NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) provides fine 20-bit frequency resolution for color-mixing dithering and for tone-modulated power-line communication. Three PWM channels drive separate LED strings (R/G/B/W) at 16 kHz above the audible band, eliminating flicker. The 16-bit CCP captures zero-cross signals for TRIAC dimmer compatibility.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Sub-Modules
The PIC16LF1503T-I/MG (Industrial grade) addresses interior automotive body-electronics sub-modules such as ambient lighting controllers, seat-heater switches, sunroof control modules, and rear-mirror actuators. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD window accepts regulated 3.3 V from a downstream LDO on a 12 V battery rail. The 10-bit ADC reads switch matrix voltages and potentiometers for rotary encoders, while 3 PWM channels drive LED strings and small DC motors. Designers should evaluate AEC-Q100 qualified parts for safety-critical subsystems; this Industrial-grade part suits non-safety in-cabin nodes.
Recommended
Small Motor Control PCBs
The PIC16LF1503T-I/MG integrates small brushed DC and stepper motor controllers in toys, fans, and appliance pumps. The CWG module drives half-bridge MOSFET pairs with programmable dead-time, and the 3 PWM channels provide up to 20 kHz switching for quiet operation. Back-EMF feedback enters the 10-bit ADC on RA1, while a Hall-sensor input on RC0 provides rotor position. The 5 MIPS instruction throughput executes sensorless commutation algorithms in 3.5 KB Flash, and the 128 B RAM buffers PID state for closed-loop speed control across motor load variations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1503T-I/MG — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1503-I/MG | PIC16LF1503T-E/MG | PIC16F1503-I/MG | PIC16LF1503T-I/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-QFN (3x3 mm, MG) | 16-QFN (3x3 mm, MG) - same | 16-QFN (3x3 mm, MG) - same | 16-QFN (3x3 mm, MG) - same | 14-TSSOP - different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel |
| ADC Channels | 8 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) |
| CLC / CWG / NCO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unit Price (1 pc, USD) | 1.17 | 1.17 | 1.40 | 1.20 | 1.10 |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with low-voltage LF operation (vs PIC16LF1503T-E/MG)
- Wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range for battery-powered designs (vs PIC16F1503-I/MG)
- 3.5 KB Flash / 128 B RAM optimized for sub-$1 BOM cost (vs PIC16LF1526-I/MG)
- Smallest 16-pin QFN footprint at 3x3 mm with EP (vs PIC16LF1503T-I/ST)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 13) and a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same VDD trace. The exposed thermal pad (pin 16 / EP) MUST be soldered to a contiguous PCB ground plane to achieve rated electrical performance. For sleep-mode designs, use the XLP Sleep with WDT off configuration to achieve sub-100 nA quiescent current per Microchip PIC16LF1503 datasheet section on Power-Saving Modes.
Route the MCLR line (pin 15) with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for clean reset behavior. The QFN 3x3 mm package has 0.5 mm pitch; use NSMD (non-solder mask defined) pads with 0.275 mm pad width and 0.225 mm solder mask opening per Microchip package drawing recommendations. Route sensitive analog lines (RA1-RA5 used as ADC inputs) away from switching PWM traces on RC0/RC1 to avoid ADC coupling noise.
Avoid using RA3 as a regular GPIO on parts where the MCLR function is enabled - many PIC16LF1503 configurations enable RA3/MCLR by default, and disabling internal MCLR via CONFIG requires a high-voltage program cycle. Also note that the LF variant's 1.8 V minimum VDD disables Flash programming; ensure VDD is at least 2.0 V during ICSP operations. Do not exceed 3.6 V on any pin or you risk latch-up - LF variants do NOT have 5V tolerance.
Estimated: at 20 MHz / 3.3 V with all peripherals active, the PIC16LF1503T-I/MG draws approximately 4 mA, dissipating ~13 mW. With QFN 16-pin thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 60 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board, junction temperature rises less than 1 C above ambient, well within Industrial-grade limits. For high ambient environments (>70 C), verify thermal performance with a thermocouple on the EP pad during worst-case firmware execution.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade (-40C to +85C), RoHS/REACH compliant per Microchip product page. NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive safety-critical designs, evaluate PIC16F1503 AEC-Q100 variants or dsPIC33CK automotive-grade MCUs.
